What made you choose to be involved with PACE and what did it add to your undergraduate experience?

“I graduated from Indiana University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the PACE certificate. The PACE certificate added a lot of qualitative value to my degree by providing me with a much more practical experience in the application of policy. This was a great compliment to my much more theoretical political science major.

 Tell us about the studies and work you chose after you graduated: why did you want to do that and what has it been like?

“The largest benefit the PACE certificate has provided me throughout the early years of my career is effective communication skills. In PACE, I learned the importance of active listening, seeking to understand, and finding common ground to come to effective solutions. In my current role as Assistant Director for Online Education and Student Services for the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington, I work with other student services professionals to ensure that our students are being served in the most effective way possible. PACE provided me with the skillset to understand diverse perspectives on an issue and to implement strategies to come to a solution amendable to everyone involved. As I continue my education by pursuing a Master of Science in Adult Education and Higher Education and Student Affairs, I am confident that the skills gained in the PACE certificate will continue to support my professional and personal goals.  

 What would you want to tell current PACE students about engagement and professional development?

“Students currently pursuing the PACE certificate should see the broad applicability of the skills you will gain. While they will assist them in achieving their goals in public policy, they can also apply the leadership and communication skills they will gain to any career. The PACE certificate will set you apart from everyone else, because it is truly a unique program that prepares them for a complex and interconnected world!”